A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rapid City vs. Moncton for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Rapid City or Moncton?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Rapid City and Moncton can help you decide which place is right for you.

Rapid City

Rapid City is a friendly, fascinating, and activity-filled city. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking. See Rapid City travel costs.

Moncton

Moncton is a compact, cultural, and quaint city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food. See Moncton travel costs.

Rapid City and Moncton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rapid City or Moncton?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Rapid City than Moncton. While Moncton is larger than Rapid City, Rapid City has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Rapid City is more touristy than Moncton and is known for its proximity to Mount Rushmore and many other iconic parks. It is also home to Mount Rushmore. Moncton is popular for its unique sense of place and its cultural activities.

How is Rapid City different from Moncton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Moncton and Rapid City. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Rapid City or Moncton?

Rapid City is a world-class destination for its historical sights. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Rapid City has many famous sights for visitors. You'll find a wide variety of museums and landmarks nearby. Popular places to visit that aren't far from town include the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, the South Dakota Air & Space Museum, and the Journey Museum & Learning Center. There's also the Museum of Geology and the National Presidential Wax Museum. And of course, there's the iconic Mount Rushmore.

Moncton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city has a zoo at Magnetic Hill as well as several great museums and historic sites like Fort Beauséjour and the Acadian Museum.

Is the Food Better in Rapid City or Moncton? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Rapid City and Moncton can be an enjoyable experience.

Rapid City has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find local restaurants in town that serve local specialties such as chislic (grilled meat), fry bread, and walleye (a local fish.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Moncton area. You'll find a range of casual eateries around town as well as wine tasting and a few upscales places. Poutine is the local favorite, but you can also try fried seafood or a local stew.

Is Rapid City or Moncton Better for Nightlife?

The decent nightlife scene is relatively similar in Rapid City and Moncton.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Rapid City. You'll find some places with live music and good drinks, but the city isn't really known for its nightlife scene.

Moncton is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. Many of the local bars and clubs are geared toward a slightly younger crowd.

Is Rapid City or Moncton Better for Hiking?

Rapid City is great for hiking. However, Moncton is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Rapid City for the hiking trails. The region is filled with national parks, state parks, and natural areas with wonderful hiking trails. You don't have to travel far to get into nature and experience some of South Dakota's best natural beauty.

Moncton is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rapid City or Moncton?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Rapid City and Moncton.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Rapid City. Rapid City has some interesting local shops as well as larger malls and shopping centers.

Many visitors go to Moncton to go shopping. There's a mix of independent shops and larger big box stores. Some of the largest shopping areas include Mapleton Plaza and Wheeler Park Power Centre.

Is Rapid City or Moncton Better for Families?

Rapid City is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Rapid City is very family-friendly. Nearby national parks and outdoor activities, this is the perfect base for exploring the area with kids. Nearby you'll find the Big Thunder Gold Mine, which has tours and lets you pan for gold, and Custer State Park, which is filled with wildlife. Wall Drug is worth a stopoff, as is Dinosaur Park.

Moncton is a family-friendly place to visit. It's a family-friendly town with indoor play spaces and outdoor parks. Highlights for families include a visit to Magnetic Hill Zoo and a stop at Butterfly World and the Boardwalk.

Is Rapid City or Moncton Better for Couples?

Rapid City is great for couples. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Rapid City is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples will enjoy the amazing national parks in the area and the easy access to iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore. There are many opportunities for wildlife spotting as well as great hiking trails and unique landscapes.

Moncton is a nice destination for couples. There are some great date night ideas like wine tasting at Magnetic Hill Winery or seeing a show at the theater.

Is Rapid City or Moncton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rapid City is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Moncton is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Rapid City. Backpackers will appreciate the surrounding natural beauty and the nearby national parks.

Moncton is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there is a hostel in town, this is little more than a stopover for most backpackers.

Is Rapid City or Moncton Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find decent public transit in both Rapid City and Moncton.

Public transit is mostly limited in Rapid City. While there are a few buses, this isn't a realistic option for traveling through the region.

Public transit is generally limited in Moncton. There is a bus system but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Rapid City or Moncton a more walkable city?

Moncton is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Rapid City is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.

Moncton is a somewhat walkable place. It's relatively compact and dense enough to get around on foot in many parts.

Rapid City is generally not very walkable. While the downtown is walkable, most visitors use the city as a base for exploring the surrounding areas, and this requires a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Rapid City Worth Visiting? and Is Moncton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Moncton or Rapid City?

How long in Rapid City or Moncton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Rapid City or Moncton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Rapid City than Moncton because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Rapid City, and 1-2 days is enough time in Moncton.

Families should spend more time in Rapid City than Moncton. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rapid City, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Rapid City than Moncton. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rapid City that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rapid City than Moncton if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Rapid City.

One day in Rapid City or Moncton?

In Rapid City, you'll find museums and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With museums and food around the cultural city of Moncton, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Moncton, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Rapid City or Moncton?

In Rapid City, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rapid City has to offer.

With food and shopping around the destination of Moncton, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Rapid City or Moncton?

Rapid City is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Moncton, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Rapid City or Moncton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rapid City. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Rapid City. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Moncton is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Rapid City and Moncton, we can see that Moncton is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rapid City Expensive? and Is Moncton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rapid City or Moncton?

Moncton has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Rapid City. When comparing the sizes of Rapid City and Moncton, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.